I'm already a Great Luo Golden Immortal, how come you're only Martial Saints?

Ning Chen's heart stirred, and he immediately recalled the Divine Realm Central Hub mentioned by the bald, burly teacher Luo before entering the Divine Realm, which had the function of exchanging information.

He hesitated for a moment, then chose to accept.

The screen in front of me changed, and a simple chat group appeared.

The group member list contains nearly a hundred profile pictures, but more than thirty of them are now a dull gray, with the word "deceased" marked in red below them, a shocking sight.

Ning Chen knew that these were the unlucky souls who had encountered misfortune as soon as they entered the Journey to the West world.

I'm afraid he'll end up in that demon king's territory and be eaten like a young succulent.

Right now, the group chat is buzzing with excitement.

[Tang Hao]: "Finally, I've made contact with the organization! I'm in a small town on the border of the Great Han Kingdom in the Southern Continent. I've found a blacksmith's shop to work as an apprentice. My master said I'm strong enough, but my blacksmithing skills are terrible. I'm safe here for now, but I wonder where this extraordinary opportunity is!"

[Wu Dajin]: "I run a small pancake stall in the West Market of Luoyang. I get chased by the city management officers every day—no, I mean by Wu Hou (the Marquis of Wu). But I've heard many strange and wonderful stories from passing merchants. One merchant said that there are often celestial lights appearing deep in the Zhongnan Mountains. I wonder if there are any extraordinary people there? Is there anyone who would like to go with me to find extraordinary opportunities?"

[Zhao Zhenyuan]: "I joined a security escort agency! I learned a few moves of the Black Tiger Soul-Severing Saber Technique from the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort). I heard that when the head镖师 of the agency was young, he encountered an immortal, but unfortunately he refused to say more."

[Qian Quan]: "Same here. I also do some small business in the Great Han Dynasty, so I'm well-informed. Is everyone in the Southern Continent? Teacher Luo's directions on the landing location are correct; it is indeed safe here."

[Luo Zhantian]: "It seems that most people have arrived safely in Nanzhanbuzhou. Very good! Remember, personal safety comes first, intelligence gathering comes second."

"Your biggest advantage right now is the information panel that comes with your identity as a traveler, and the communication ability provided by the Divine Realm Central Hub. Any news about immortal opportunities, Taoist temples, or extraordinary people, even if it's just a rumor, can be shared in the group or traded anonymously through the Central Hub. By pooling resources, you might be able to find a glimmer of hope."

"I'm directly in charge of this Journey to the West Divine Realm group. If you need any help, feel free to contact me immediately—money, cultivation techniques, anything!"

Tang Hao, Wu Dajin, Qian Quan, and others showered him with flattery.

"Teacher Luo is awesome!"

"Teacher Luo is so righteous!"

"Teacher Luo, I'm so upset!"

"Teacher Luo, do you need a son?"

As they chatted, several more profile pictures went gray, and at the same time, a line of red text popped up.

[Tan Fei]: "Help! I've mistakenly descended into a place called the Bottomless Cave of Trapped Sky Mountain. There's a beautiful female demon here who tries to devour my human essence every day. If I can't produce human essence, she'll eat my body. I'm afraid I won't last more than a few days!"

The group fell silent, and Ning Chen even mourned for him silently for several minutes.

This traveler named Tan Fei, having fallen into the hands of the rat demon of the Bottomless Cave in Trapped Sky Mountain, will likely be devoured completely in the end.

[Luo Zhantian] "I told you to land in the Southern Continent, but you wouldn't listen. Now even your teacher can't save you. Find a chance to escape. In the Journey to the West Divine Realm, every monster has thousands of years of cultivation. Even if your teacher went there, he wouldn't be able to defeat them!"

[Tan Fei]: "I heard this monster say that there are even more ferocious demons around. She only wants to eat human flesh, but the others just come up and rip out hearts and lungs! Teacher, save me! I don't want to die!"

Teacher Luo ignored Tan Fei's plea for help.

He was being drained of his essence by demons every day. Even if he, a grandmaster of innate cultivation, were to die, he could only last a few more days.

[Luo Zhantian]: "By the way, Ning Chen, where are you now? How are you doing?"

Upon seeing that he had been called out, Ning Chen pondered for a moment.

He naturally wouldn't reveal that he had found a celestial connection at Fangcun Mountain in Xiniu Hezhou.

If the news were to spread, who knows how much trouble and suspicion it would cause? Countless pilgrims would flock to Fangcun Mountain, and if they angered Bodhi Patriarch, the opportunity he had so painstakingly obtained would likely be implicated.

Ning Chen thought for a moment and replied in his mind.

"Thank you for your concern, Teacher Luo. I have been placed in the Southern Continent. I don't know the exact location, but it's an unnamed town. I'm helping out at an inn, barely making ends meet. I'm getting familiar with the environment and haven't found any clear opportunities yet."

His reply was vague, and it sounded no different from the situation of most people in the group.

[Luo Zhantian]: "As long as we are safe, the inn is a good place to observe people coming and going. Everyone, remember our initial agreement. If anyone discovers any clues that may lead to the extraordinary, such as the opening of a sacred mountain or a Taoist cultivator showing his tracks, do not act rashly alone. You can discuss it in the group or contact nearby companions through the central hub to go together, look after each other, and increase the success rate and chance of survival."

[Tang Hao]: "Understood, Teacher Luo!"

[Wu Dajin]: "Received! I'll share any news!"

[Zhao Zhenyuan]: "That's how it should be."

[Qian Quan]: "In this world, only through sincere cooperation can we achieve a win-win situation!"

[Tan Fei]: "Save me, brothers, don't abandon me..."

[Luo Zhantian]: "That's enough for now. It's late, everyone should get some rest!"

[Tan Fei]: "........."

Ning Chen understood this perfectly.

The members of this group are not of much help to him at the moment; they can only be used as a channel for information exchange, such as when the great calamity of Journey to the West will begin.

Those gray, lifeless avatars silently testify to the cruelty of this world.

Upon arrival, a third of them perished, making it a hundred times more dangerous than those low-martial-power worlds.

Ning Chen closed the group chat interface and lay down again.

Looking at the gray and white walls of the roof, he became more and more determined to stay on Fangcun Mountain and not leave until he had cultivated to the level of a Golden Immortal!

The next morning, the melodious sound of bells and chimes rang out, echoing through the Fangcun Mountain.

The Bodhi Patriarch ascended the high platform and began to expound the Great Way, while hundreds of disciples sat upright below!

Although Ning Chen was not a formal disciple, he could still listen in, but his seat was at the back, almost at the outermost edge of the lecture hall.

Unlike Sun Wukong, who was given a name and seniority by his master and sat directly in the first few rows.

But then we saw the Bodhi Patriarch speaking of Taoism for a while, and Zen for a while, the three schools complementing each other perfectly. When he spoke, heavenly flowers rained down, golden lotuses sprang from the ground, and the profound Taoist sounds resonated directly in the hearts of the listeners.

Sun Wukong, sitting in the front row, was overjoyed. He scratched his ears and cheeks, his eyebrows and eyes beaming with laughter, and he couldn't help but dance with joy.

He was a naturally intelligent stone monkey, whose innate talent and comprehension were unparalleled in the world. Although the teachings of the patriarch were profound, they perfectly aligned with his original spirituality.

Hearing this, Sun Wukong felt that every word was precious and wonderful.

As Bodhi Patriarch looked at the monkey who had just joined his sect, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and his sermons became more and more vivid and lifelike.

Ning Chen, sitting in the last seat, had a completely different experience.

The patriarchs preached not to impart specific cultivation techniques or supernatural powers, but to expound the ultimate principles of heaven and earth, the creation of yin and yang, and the profound truths of the golden elixir.

These contents are profound and obscure, involving a large number of mysterious concepts and metaphors.

Ning Chen felt that the words were like a book written in the heavens. He recognized each word, but when they were put together, they were like a fog, making it difficult to grasp their core meaning.

His thoughts seemed to be lost in a chaotic fog, trying to grasp something, but always in vain.

He knew that this was due to his lack of understanding and shallow foundation.

The laws of this world cannot be comprehended simply by rote memorization or diligent effort; they require extremely high spirituality and comprehension to resonate with the mysteries of the Dao.

Just as he was getting drowsy and almost gave up trying to understand, he forced himself to memorize the syllables.

Bodhi Patriarch glanced at the many drowsy disciples below the stage, sighed slightly, stopped his sermon, and allowed the disciples to rest for a while.

The light screen in front of Ning Chen trembled slightly, and a notification appeared:

[This was my first time listening to Master Bodhi's teachings. Although I didn't fully understand, I was deeply moved. My spiritual practice has increased by one year.]